Insider Info for St. John ...
Much of St. John's natural beauty has been preserved, thanks to American financier/philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller. In the 1950s, he made extensive donations of land to to the federal government to help establish the Virgin Islands National Park, including more than 5,600 acres of offshore marine areas and more than two-thirds of the island. Today, visitors can enjoy the beautiful beaches and bays maintained by the National Park Service. Staying on St. Thomas? No worries ... Just take the ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, St. John. Once at the ferry dock, there will be plenty of taxis to take you to the beach or on a sight-seeing tour of the island.
It is polite to take the time to be sociable, so be prepared to greet everyone you meet - especially as you walk into a store or restaurant - with a cheery "Good morning" (or afternoon or night, depending on the time of day). You will be rewarded with a smile and a "Good morning" in return! If you need to get someone's attention, saying "Good morning" is a polite way to do so, rather than saying "Excuse me."
Did you know that you may enter or exit a restaurant or bar while carrying an alcoholic beverage? If your drink is in a glass, just let the bartender know you want to "walk" with it, and you will be provided with a plastic cup. It is courteous to buy a drink where you are, once you have finished the one you brought with you. However, it is illegal to drive while intoxicated, so please drink responsibly; we have lots of island taxis if you need a ride home.
Some information courtesy of What To Do USVI. For more Insider Info from What To Do, USVI, including ferry schedules, taxi rates and Customs regulations, click here.